Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

A Short Stay In Hell by Steven L. Peck

8 reviews

lecheeese's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Thoughtful read! It can sway into stream of consciousness at times which was surprisingly a delight.

Anticipation is a gift. Perhaps there is none greater. Anticipation is born of hope. Indeed it is hope's finest expression. In hope's loss, however, is the greatest despair.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Body horror, Self harm, and Torture

Minor: Chronic illness and Terminal illness

stephanieluxton's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book was not what I was expecting which isn't surprising since I went in totally blind without reading the description. I think that was an enjoyable way to read it, honestly!

But the book is about a mormon man named Soren who tried to live his best life then dies of cancer and finds himself in hell alongside quite a lot of other people who also were pretty regular people. Hell for Soren isn't the fire and brimstone you'd expect but instead is a basically eternal library containing every book that could theoretically exist and the only way the inhabitants can leave is by finding a books that perfectly portrays the story of their lives. This isn't exactly a spoiler, but contrary to the title, his stay is not short.

This book was interesting because it feels like it's more about immortality than anything else (because when you're already dead, you don't exactly die). I found this book to be sad. It explores themes of regarding madness of groups of people, love, loss, and being faced with an impossible task.

I don't know what the genre of this book is. There's a few parts that feel like horror but most of the book has a very somber feeling to it.

It's a short read so I definitely recommend picking it up. It's definitely different!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Alcohol

Minor: Cancer

The only semi graphic situation is when a group of extremists take over a section of the library and abuse/torture/kill anyone who won't join them. There's a lot of "suicide" but it's not really suicide because people just come right back after since they're technically already dead.

barelyalex's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

So engrossing that I specifically chose to read this because it was short but immediately wish it were longer.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Torture, and Violence

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

gladosisreading's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

Whilst it was an enjoyable concept and really made me reflect, can't rate it too highly because the overall hopelessness of the situation was bordering on too oppressive/misery porn. Interesting, philosophical read, and a cool idea that never really reaches a satisfying conclusion.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Racism and Rape

natahoochie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

riannestratford's review against another edition

dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

acnienow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Thought provoking and probably my most annotated book ever! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Alcohol

Minor: Racism, Self harm, and Terminal illness

portapages's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, and Violence